Springfield Armory is at it again. That has been a common theme over the last couple of years. The Model 2020 action is the centerpiece of Springfield Armory bolt-action models—the Waypoint and Boundary. Each is available in short-action and long-action chambering. I am fortunate to have worked with and hunted with multiple Model 2020 rifles.
With the Model 2020 Heatseeker, Springfield Armory is showcasing the versatility of its premium Model 2020 action. Springfield Armory has combined its Model 2020 action with a Sharps Bros Heatseeker chassis.
The Model 2020 Heatseeker provides precision with modularity in a lightweight, detachable magazine-fed, suppressor-ready package that checks many boxes. Precision shooters who want a compact, modular, and lightweight rig—check. Hunters needing a discrete, adjustable platform—check. Tactical users who want AR-style ergonomics in a bolt gun chassis—check.
MODEL 2020 HEATSEEKER FOUNDATION
The Model 2020 action arrived on the scene in 2020. My initial exposure to it came at the Athlon 2020 Rendezvous writer’s event. The Model 2020 Heatseeker followed a similar path being a writer favorite at the 2025 Rendezvous. Back in 2020, when queried about being one of the few companies to offer a genuine new product introduction, I am sure you recall the COVID-19 pandemic, Springfield Armory disclosed that the Model 2020 Waypoint had been under development for years and was ready for introduction, regardless of what was happening outside the gun community.
The comments from Springfield Armory CEO Dennis Reese when the Model 2020 action was introduced ring true still today: “We did not position the Model 2020 to be an entry-level offering.…the Model 2020 was designed to appeal to the long-range precision shooter who hunts, who is not tied to tradition and who appreciates the nuances offered by high-end production action/rifles.”
The Model 2020 action is machined from a stainless steel billet. An integral recoil lug is part of the action. A Picatinny scope base comes mounted via 4-6×48 screws and two recoil pins for extra stoutness. The receiver, bottom metal, barrel shank, and muzzle brake are Cerakoted. The one-piece bolt is created from 4140 tool steel.
The 2020’s bolt features spiral fluting to minimize binding even when dirty; a removable oversized handle provides sure-handed manipulation. Dual cocking cams are present. The bolt receives nitride coating for extreme durability, as well as its self-lubricating properties. Lug rails within the receiver are wire EDM cut for further assurance of the smooth passage of the bolt. While the Model 2020 is a proprietary action, it does follow the Remington 700 pattern, which eases concerns when choosing scope bases/rings and other aftermarket items.
SHARP DRESSED RIFLE
When the benchrest crowd initiated using chassis builds to support barrel and receiver in their unending quest for accuracy, chassis were behemoth metal creations confined to sitting on a bench. Chassis eventually compressed in size to a point where feasible for hunters and not just competitive shooters. Heck, even “lightweight” chassis rifles are now beginning to peek their head up in the market, taking advantage of CNC technology and materials that were unheard of even a few years ago. The Sharps Bros Heatseeker chassis is a perfect example of this.
Chassis stocks began as upgrades for bolt action rifles set in traditional wood and not-so-traditional synthetic stocks. The connotation involving a chassis was as an accuracy enhancement for DIY gun owners. A chassis is an all-in-one assembly combining buttstock, magazine well for detachable magazines, trigger guard, and forend all into a single component. The goal is to eliminate tolerance deviations from stacking robbing accuracy.
Significantly, a chassis dispenses with the need to “bed” the action into a stock. The bedding of a barrel/receiver properly is an “art”. Not a simple process due to the nature of the bedding compound requiring handwork. In comparison, chassis stocks use pillars and other bedding techniques to secure a barreled action. Manufacturers caught on and began offering chassis-based rifles directly from the factory.
SHARPS BROS’ CHASSIS
The Sharps Bros Heatseeker chassis is machined from a solid billet of high-strength 6061-T6 aluminum. The chassis weighs a minimal 19 ounces. A distinctive Sharps Bros 14-inch handguard contains MLOK slots on four sides for a bipod, light, night vision, ARCA rail, etc.
Quick-connect sling fittings are on each side of the chassis. Sharps Bros has embraced the AR influence on the gun world with its Heatseeker chassis via pistol grip and buttstock.
The chassis is set up for the installation of an AR buffer tube, thus facilitating the choice of buttstock. The simplicity of this is borderline genius, allowing users a simple way to access a plethora of stock options. Springfield Armory has chosen wisely here, utilizing a B5 Systems Precision Collapsible buttstock that is multi-adjustable—length and cheekpiece height. The Heatseeker chassis arrives with an Accurate Mag AICS metal 5-rounder. The magazine is of single stack design allowing for centerline feeding reliability as well as maintaining as much stock material as possible to support the action for better potential accuracy.
SUPPORTING CAST
TriggerTech’s excellent Field model trigger is installed on the Model 2020 Heatseeker. TriggerTech’s patented free-floating roller tech provides an outstanding shooter/rifle interface. Lock time is industry-leading and one of those attention-to-detail items that enhance accuracy. A low profile, non-snag, frictionless two-position safety is found on the right side of the receiver.
Springfield mates its Model 2020 action/Heatseeker chassis with a long-standing partner found on other Model 2020 models- BSF Barrels. BSF takes a different approach with its carbon fiber barrels. Carbon fiber is not simply wrapped onto/around a barrel. A roll-wrapped carbon fiber sleeve is slipped over a turned-down stainless steel match 416R fluted barrel, then tensioned between metal shoulders at the receiver and muzzle. 95% of the carbon fiber does not touch the stainless steel barrel, creating air gaps and allowing air to flow around the steel and cool the barrel faster. The carbon fiber used is designed to expand at the same rate as the 416R barrel, keeping it away from contacting the metal barrel as it heats, thus maintaining venting.
OPTICS
An important part of the accuracy equation is a quality optic to go along with cartridge and rifle. A Leupold VX-5D 3-15x44MM optic was mounted. Leupold’s versatile 5-times zoom system provides a larger field of view at close ranges and better target acquisition at long ranges.
The Leupold VX-5D utilizes a second focal plane reticle. While risking excommunication, I prefer the second focal plane for my hunting rifles. Leupold designed the VX-5D lineup to give hunters and shooters the quality features they desire in an affordable package. Leupold has equipped the VX-5D with an illuminated center dot, which can vary the light intensity of the central aiming point from dim to bright for daylight illumination, resulting in a defined aiming point for precision shot placement in any condition.
AMMO & MORE
Springfield Armory is currently offering the Heatseeker in .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor. The 6.5 Creedmoor was chosen for this review. The 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge typifies the short and efficient cartridge principle. Hornady designed the 6.5 Creedmoor with the base of the bullet out of the powder column, bullet bearing surface kept above the brass case’s neck/shoulder, and 100 percent powder charge fills for consistent ignition. Cartridge specifications are purposely tight in terms of chamber neck as well as bullet jump to rifling length. All of this is to maximize accuracy.
The 6.5mm 120-140 grains bullets have always attracted hunters/tactical/target shooters. Sectional Density (SD) is the ratio of a bullet’s mass to its cross-section. All things being equal a high SD bullet penetrates better than a low SD. Ballistic Coefficient (BC) is a measurement of how well a bullet moves through the air. Velocity loss and impact of wind drift are minimized the higher the BC rating as the round travels downrange. The 6.5mm bullets have a reputation for high BC rating for flight efficiency as well as SD for penetration once arriving on target. Another 6.5 Creedmoor sweetener is only moderate recoil.
Various 6.5 Creedmoor hunting and match loads from Hornady, Berger, and Federal were chosen. The specific loads were Hornady Precision Hunter 143-grain ELD-X, 129-grain SST, and American Gunner 140-grain BTHP. The Federal load was the 120-grain Trophy Copper. Berger’s excellent 144-grain Hybrid Target and 156-grain EOL Elite Hunter were also sent downrange. This is just a small sampling of the 6.5 Creedmoor loads available from each company.
QUALITY TIME WITH THE MODEL 2020 HEATSEEKER
Time spent with the Model 2020 Heatseeker involved the Athlon Rendezvous thus benefitting from Springfield Armory’s Mike Humphries talking me through the rifle’s features as well as longer duration “private” time back at my home range Echo Valley Training Center (EVTC).
The Springfield Armory Heatseeker is not only well suited for precision accuracy off the bench but also for stalk or still-hunting forays that often involve fluid off-hand shots at game as well as stumbling across an animal out in the open in a field or ridge line across from you and having to quickly set-up for a precise longer range shot.
Range T&E at EVTC simulated this by moving along their winding “Jungle Walk” range. Clay pigeons were set up at various ranges to be engaged from different positions involving a tripod or quickly assuming prone, sitting, kneeling, or standing shooting positions. Another twist was to have a companion pick the target and shooting position and the shooter to engage as quickly as possible. Follow-up shots were encouraged to get a sense of the Heatseeker bolt’s smoothness and recoil impulse. The detachable magazine feature simplifies reloading via carrying a spare magazine. It was possible to single-feed rounds into the bolt if necessary.
The 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge combined with the ergonomic well-tuned Springfield Armory Heatseeker with Leupold optic proved potent. The Springfield Armory Heatseeker proved equally at home for long-range engagements. EVTC’s Known Distance Range enabled shots out to 750 yards. The Springfield Heatseeker’s accuracy combined with premium ammunition and clear Leupold optic enabled center mass shots with ease.
MODEL 2020 HEATSEEKER CAN NOT BE IGNORED
Lightweight is a valued attribute for any weapon, especially as terrain steepens and the time traversing it increases. Gravity never rests. However, accuracy is also important for success. The Springfield Armory Model 2020 Heatseeker offers both. The 2020 Heatseeker weighs in at around 7 pounds. Heatseeker accuracy is sub-MOA even with hunting loads. Thanks to a savvy mating of components, the Heatseeker balances near the front of the receiver. This is important for any weapon considered for hunting or other forms of dynamic activity. Carry in the hand is comfortable when scouting or moving around with the chance of jumping game.
The key point with the Springfield Armory Model 2020 Heatseeker is out-of-the-box performance without having to resort to aftermarket accessories or a trip to a gunsmith for tuning. The Springfield Heatseeker takes a back seat to no rifle in terms of precision, repeatable accuracy, ergonomics, reliability, trigger, and safety. A rifle weighing around 7 pounds kitted out that utilizes a detachable magazine chambered in a hard-hitting caliber and capable of sub-MOA accuracy cannot be ignored.
SPECIFICATIONS: Springfield Armory Model 2020 Heatseeker
CALIBER: 6.5 Creedmoor (.308Win also available)
BARREL: BSF 16-inch carbon fiber wrapped 1:8 RH twist
OA LENGTH: 39-inches stock extended 35.75 collapsed
ACTION: Springfield Armory Model 2020
CAPACITY: Detachable 5-round magazine arrives with the rifle
PRICE: $2,355 MSRP
PERFORMANCE:
| Avg. FPS | Avg. -3 Shot Group 100 yards (Inches) | Best -3 Shot Group100 yards (Inches) | |
| Hornady 143gr ELD-X | 2511 | .875 | .66 |
| Hornady 140gr BTHP | 2487 | .66 | .625 |
| Berger 156gr Elite Hunter | 2478 | .75 | .66 |
| Federal 120gr Trophy Copper | 2545 | .912 | .75 |
